When is the K1 visa actually given to my fiance(e)?
A..This will vary wildly according to the individual consulate. Some will issue the visa immediately, but many will not. In 2002, additional security checks were causing great heartache and inconvenience to applicants in Russia and China, whereas Stockholm and London would issue the visa the same day. In the Philippines, procedures in 2002 changed, with visas sent by mail. Ask the newsgroup about latest developments. The visa is given along with a sealed envelope of documents which must be given to the USCIS (INS) officer when entering the US. The visa must be used within 6 months of being issued. The fiance(e) is allowed to enter the US once with the visa, with the purpose of getting married, which must happen within 90 days. The fiance(e) is not allowed to travel freely into and out of the US with the visa, it is good for one entry only. If there is a K2 visa involved, the K2 may enter up to a year after the K1. The K2 cannot enter the US before the K1.
